D'yan Forest has always done things her way - or her ways, because she's lived a dozen different lives. She's been a desperate Boston housewife, a New York night-club singer and a Paris swinger. She's been the only Jewish girl in a Christian choir and the female pianist in a transvestite cabaret. She had dayjobs teaching basketball, piano and sex education. She dated Paris's second-ever female bus driver, a transsexual rock guitarist and a defrocked nun.She also managed to get German friends to visit Nazi concentration camps, on her personal quest to understand why her European relatives were massacred.At 86, D'yan is still a working stand-up comedian and musician, but she's much, much more than that, as this hilarious but heartfelt memoir reveals... Written by D'yan Forest with Stephen Clarke, bestselling British author of books like 1,000 Years of Annoying the French and A Year in the Merde, and co-writer of D'yan's latest stage show, Swingin' on the Seine.
Stephen Clarke Books
Stephen Clarke is the bestselling author of seven books that satirize the peculiarities of French culture. His works humorously delve into the daily lives, customs, and mindset of the French, often using exaggeration and irony to expose the absurdities of the French way of life. Clarke's keen observations and witty style make him a beloved commentator on French society.







The Magic Hollow
- 332 pages
- 12 hours of reading
Hayden Keyes is an expert on knights and the tales of King Arthur, yet he lacks practical experience in the adventurous aspects of these legends. His journey hints at the possibility of exploring these fantastical elements, such as jousting, wearing armor, and embarking on epic quests with a dimension-traveling griffin. The story promises a blend of knowledge and adventure as Hayden navigates the gap between his scholarly understanding and the thrilling realities of knightly life.
The French Revolution and what went wrong
- 592 pages
- 21 hours of reading
Legend has it that, in a few busy weeks in July 1789, a despotic king, his freeloading wife, and a horde of over-privileged aristocrats, were displaced and then humanely dispatched. In the ensuing years, we are told, France was heroically transformed into an idyll of Libert�, Egalit� and Fraternit�. In fact, as Stephen Clarke argues in his informative and eye-opening account of the French Revolution, almost all of this is completely untrue. In 1789 almost no one wanted to oust King Louis XVI, let alone guillotine him. While the Bastille was being stormed by out-of-control Parisians, the true democrats were at work in Versailles creating a British-style constitutional monarchy. The founding of the Republic in 1792 unleashed a reign of terror that caused about 300,000 violent deaths. And people hailed today as revolutionary heroes were dangerous opportunists, whose espousal of Libert�, Egalit� and Fraternit� did not stop them massacring political opponents and guillotining women for demanding equal rights. Going back to original French sources, Stephen Clarke has uncovered the little-known and rarely told story of what was really happening in revolutionary France, as well as what went so tragically and bloodily wrong.
The Questing Beast
- 250 pages
- 9 hours of reading
In this exciting sequel, Hayden Keyes continues his adventurous journey alongside the Knights, facing new challenges and uncovering deeper mysteries. As the stakes rise, Hayden must navigate complex relationships and confront formidable foes. The story promises to deliver action, camaraderie, and growth, as Hayden evolves into a true leader. Fans of the first installment will be captivated by the twists and developments that await in this thrilling continuation of his quest.
The Kilted Coaches
- 160 pages
- 6 hours of reading
"Who needs a gym when you have Scotland? We all have goals, ambitions and dreams, but How do you overcome the obstacles you find in the way? How do you kick your negativity to the kerb? How do you become who you want to be? BY STICKING TO THE DAMN PLAN. With hundreds of videos, thousands of followers and millions of views, The Kilted Coaches, Stephen Clarke and Rab Shields, are no strangers to living their lives in high definition. But now they reveal how to become HD in every aspect of your life: bigger, louder, more colourful than ever, and unmistakeably you. In a characteristically Scottish blend of advice and banter, The Kilted Coaches channel their years of experience as life coaches and weight loss experts into bite-sized nuggets of advice designed to build confidence, positivity and ultimately that elusive future self. Always down to earth (sometimes very literally), they demonstrate that whoever you are, wherever you are, you can win each day. In fact, we're all just folk with our own lives and commitments, and every step towards health and happiness is a success. So, stick to the plan and win your life - even if you don't have a kilt (but it helps)"--Publisher's description.
The entertaining biography of Edward VII and his playboy lifestyle, by the author of A Year in the Merde Despite fierce opposition from his mother, Queen Victoria, Edward VII was always passionately in love with France. He had affairs with the most famous Parisian actresses, courtesans, and can-can dancers. He spoke French more elegantly than English. He was the first ever guest to climb the Eiffel Tower with Gustave Eiffel, in defiance of an official English ban on his visit. He turned his French seduction skills into the diplomatic prowess that sealed the Entente Cordiale. A quintessentially English king? Pas du tout! Stephen Clarke argues that as "Dirty Bertie," Edward learned all the essentials in life from the French.
Featuring a blend of sharp humor and an engaging narrative, this book captivates with its witty one-liners and compelling storyline. The author, Ian Moore, known for his work "Death & Croissants," delivers a tale that promises both laughter and intrigue, making it a delightful read for those who appreciate clever writing and entertaining plots.
How the French Won Waterloo - or Think They Did
- 304 pages
- 11 hours of reading
Published in the 200th Anniversary year of the Battle of Waterloo a witty look at how the French still think they won, by Stephen Clarke, author of 1000 Years of Annoying the French and A Year in the Merde.
1000 years of annoying the French
- 766 pages
- 27 hours of reading
NEW UPDATED EDITION Was the Battle of Hastings a French victory? Non! William the Conqueror was Norman and hated the French. Were the Brits really responsible for the death of Joan of Arc? Non! The French sentenced her to death for wearing trousers. Did the French write "God Save the Queen"? Non! But that's what they claim. Ten centuries' worth of French historical 'facts' bite the dust as Stephen Clarke looks at what has really been going on since 1066 ... Featuring new annoyances - both historical and recent - inflicted on the French, including Napoleon's "banned" chamber pot, Louis XIV's painful operation, Anglo-French jibes during the 2012 London Olympics, French niggles about William and Kate's royal wedding, and much more ...
Talk to the Snail
- 272 pages
- 10 hours of reading
Acts as a guide on how to get what you really want from the French. This title provides advice on useful phrases.


